Vehicle support

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary vehicle support for use with a drive-on type of vehicle hoist selectively supports the vehicle from its undercarriage with its tires above the hoist tracks. The auxiliary vehicle support is swingable between a substantially vertical supporting position and a substantially horizontal storage position.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1948 Patterson i. 187/8.49

0 i v United States Patent 1 [111 3,789,958

Masaitis Feb. 5, 1974 VEHICLE SUPPORT 2,552,974 5/1951 Johnson 187/8.5475 Inventor: Theodore J. Masaitis, Fairview Park, 32323; xjf i' 14 7;

Ohio

[ Assignee? Y? Laboratories El Sequndo, Primary Examiner-Allen N.Knowles Cahf- Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fay, Sharpe and [22] Filed: Oct.2, 1972 ulholland [21] Appl. No.: 294,094

[ ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 187/8.49 An auxiliary vehicle Support for usewith a drive on [51] Int. Cl. B608 13/00 type of vehicle hoistSelectively supports the vehicle '[58] held of Search 187/8'41 from itsundercarriage with its tires above the hoist 187/ tracks. The auxiliaryvehicle support is swingable between a substantially vertical supportingposition and [5 6] References a substantially horizontal storageposition.

19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures VEHICLE SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis application pertains to the art of supports and more particularlyto vehicle supports. The invention is particularly applicable for usewith drive-on type of vehicle hoists and will be particularly describedwith reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that theinvention has broader applications and may be used for other purposes.

Vehicle hoists of known construction include the free-wheel type and thedrive-on type. The free-wheel type of hoist includes rails or othervehicle engaging supports for selectively engaging parts on the vehicleundercarriage. The supports may engage such parts as the vehicle axle,ball joint rods, frame, or any other suitable parts. The vehicleengaging supports are raised and lowered by operation of a pneumaticcylinder. Hoists of this type enable performance of work or tests on thevehicle wheels. However, this type of hoist requires rather accuratepositioning of the vehicle so that it will be balanced on the supports.In addition, proper positioning of the vehicle supports is necessary.Hoists of this type sometimes interfere with other tasks performed onthe undercarriage of the vehicle.

The drive-on type of hoist includes a pair of spacedapart paralleltracks onto which the vehicle is driven. The tracks are raised andlowered by operation of a pneumatic cylinder or the like. Lifts of thistype are very convenient and do not interfere with such operations asgreasing or changing oil, or performing certain other repairs on theundercarriage of the conveyance. However, the drive-on type of hoistdoes not allow performance of work or tests on the vehicle wheelsbecause the tires are always engaging the tracks. The tracks alsointerfere with certain other repairs or tests which must be carried outfrom beneath the vehicle.

Many devices have been proposed for converting drive-on type of hoiststo the free-wheel type. Such devices enable normal use of the hoist as adrive-on type. When work is to be done on the wheels, or when the trackswould interfere with certain tasks, an auxiliary supporting devicemounted on the hoist tracks is selectively operable to engage parts onthe vehicle undercarriage and raise the vehicle so that its tires areabove the hoist tracks.

Previous auxiliary devices of the type described for addition todrive-on type of hoists include hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders whichare supported by the hoist tracks and can be operated to engage parts onthe vehicle undercarriage for raising the vehicle tires off the tracks.Hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders for this auxiliary purpose are veryexpensive. Pneumatic cylinders also require a connection to a source ofpressurized air.

Other auxiliary devices of the type described include vertical postsattachable to the hoist tracks. With the hoist raised, the posts arepositioned so that they depend downward from the tracks. When the hoistis lowered, the bottom ends of the posts engage a supporting surfacebeneath the hoist tracks, and the upper ends of the posts engage partson the vehicle undercarriage. As the hoist tracks continue to falldownwardly relative to the posts, the vehicle will remain suspended onthe posts. Locking pins or the like are then positioned to preventdownward movement of the posts relative to the hoist tracks. The hoistcan again be raised and the vehicle remains suspended on the posts withits tires out of engagement with the hoist tracks. Previous auxiliarysupporting devices of this type often require considerable assembly eachtime the auxiliary support is used. Storage of such auxiliary devices isalso a problem.

SUMMARY An auxiliary vehicle supporting device for use with drive-onvehicle hoists of the type described is selectively swingable relativeto the hoist tracks between a substantially vertical operative positionand a substantially horizontal storage position.

In accordance with one arrangement, the auxiliary supporting deviceincludes carrier means spanning the hoist tracks. A pair of elongatedpost members are slidably carried by the carrier means for longitudinalsliding movement relative to the carrier means. The posts have bottomends which are engageable with a supporting surface, and upper endshaving vehicle engaging means thereon for engaging parts of a vehicleundercarriage. Locking means is provided for locking the post membersagainst downward movement relative to the carrier means with the vehicleengaging means positioned selectively variable distances above thecarrier means.

Mounting means is provided for mounting the carrier means to the hoisttracks. In a preferred arrangement, the carrier means is swingablerelative to the mounting means for positioning the post memberssubstantially vertical or substantially horizontal. Selective lockingmeans is provided for locking the carrier means against swingingmovement relative to the mounting means with the posts in eitherposition.

In accordance with another aspect of the device, the mounting meansmounts the auxiliary support to the hoist track for horizontal movementof the carrier means relative to the tracks. Retaining means is providedfor selectively and releasably retaining the carrier means and mountingmeans against horizontal movement relative to the hoist tracks. In onearrangement, the retaining means comprises a wedge member carried by themounting means and shiftable into engagement with a surface on the trackfor preventing movement of the mounting means relative to the track.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, the vehicle engaging meanson the upper ends of the post members are reciprocatable transversely ofthe hoist tracks so that they can be positioned for engaging a desirablepart on the vehicle undercarriage. In one arrangement, the upper end ofthe post members are connected by connecting cross brace means above thecarrier means. The connecting cross brace means includes oppositeoutwardly opening slide sockets slidably receiving elongated slide barson the vehicle engaging means.

In accordance with another aspect of the device, the arrangement forobtaining swinging movement of the carrier means relative to themounting means includes outwardly opening sockets on the opposite endportions of the carrier means. The mounting means includes projectionsreceived in the sockets. In one arrangement, the locking means forlocking the carrier means to the mounting means with the posts eithervertical or horizontal includes aligned pin receiving holes in thesockets and the projections.

In accordance with another aspect of the device, certain of the pinreceiving holes in at least one of the socket or projection members arelaterally elongated 4 for allowing limited reciprocal movement of theprojections relative to the sockets when a pin is received in thealigned pin receiving holes.

In a preferred arrangement, the mounting means includes rollersreceivable in outwardly opening channel members attached to the oppositefacing inner surfaces of the hoist tracks. The auxiliary supportingdevice is shiftable along the tracks on the rollers. The describedlaterally elongated slots allow some adjustment when the tracks are outof alignment or are spaced-apart different distances on differenthoists.

It is a principle object of the present invention to provide an improvedauxiliary supporting device for converting a drive-on type of vehiclehoist into a freewheeling type of hoist.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such anauxiliary vehicle support which is economical to manufacture and simpleto operate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an auxiliaryvehicle support of the type described which can be placed in a storageposition on the vehicle hoist so that it will not interfere with normaloperation "of the drive-on type of hoist.

It isan additional object of the present invention to provide anauxiliary supporting device of the type described with selectivelyoperable retaining means for releasably retaining the device againstmovement relative to hoist tracks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may take form in certainparts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will bedescribed in detail with respect to the accompanying drawings which forma part hereof.

FIG. 1 is top plan view showing a drive-on type of vehicle-hoist havingthe auxiliary vehicle supporting device of the present inventionincorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view looking generally in the direction ofarrows 22 of FIG. 1 and showing the auxiliary supporting device of thepresent invention in operative'position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in thedirection of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in thedirection of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,wherein the showings are for purpose of illustrating a preferredembodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same,FIG. 1 shows a drive-on type of vehicle hoist A. Hoist A may be of anyconventional and well known type, and will only be generally described.

Hoist A includes a pair of substantially spaced-apart tracks and 12. Acentral transverse frame member 14 connects tracks 10 and 12, and isitself mounted on the rod 15 of a pneumatic cylinder or the like. Thepneumatic cylinder is operable in a known manner for raising andlowering hoist A. Tracks 10 and 12 may have downwardly inclined ramps 18and 20 hingedly connected thereto in a known manner and lockable in araised position for preventing rolling movement of a vehicle from tracks10 and 12*. A vehicle is adapted to be driven onto hoist A with itstires in engagement with tracks 10 and 12. Tracks 10 and 12 includeinner side members 24 and 26, and outer side members 28 and 30. Innerside members 24 and 26 have spaced-apart opposed facing inner surfaces31 and 32.

In accordance with one arrangement, elongated substantially U-shapedchannel members 34 and 36 are secured to inner surfaces 31 and 32 as bywelding. It will be recognized that channel members 34 and 36 may besecured to tracks 10 and 12 in other ways if so desired. In thearrangement shown, welds 40 secured channel members 34 and 36 to innersurfaces 31 and 32 ofinner walls 24 and 26 on tracks 10 and 12.Elongated channel members 34 and 36 may extend substantially the fulllength between hinged ramps 18 and 20, and transverse frame member 14.Each channel 34 and 36 opens outwardly as at 44 and 46 in opposed andfacing relationship. Each channel member 34 and 36 has a lower and innersupporting surface 48 and 50.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved auxiliarysupporting device B is mounted on tracks 10 and 12 of hoist A forconverting drive-on hoist A into a free-wheel type of hoist.

In accordance with one arrangement, auxiliary supporting device Bincludes carrier means C extending substantially perpendicular to tracks10 and 12. Carrier means C has opposite end portions defining outwardlyopening sockets 54 and 56. In the arrangement shown, each socket 54 and56 is formed by four rectangular metal plates welded together alongtheir outer edges to provide a square socket. FIG. 3 shows socket 56formed from spaced-apart plates 58 welded to perpendicularly positionedspaced-apart plates 60. Socket 54 is similarly formed. Welds securingplates 58 and 60 together are generally shown at 62 in FIG. 3.

Carrier means C also includes a pair of spaced-apart parallelrectangular sockets D and E- It will be recognized that sockets D and Emay also be circular or have other cross-sectional shapes if so desired.Sockets D and E are formed by welding four rectangular metal platestogether as described with respect to plates 58 and 60 in FIG. 3.Sockets D and E have parallel longitudinal axes which extendsubstantially vertical in the operative position of device B. Sockets Dand E include spaced-apart parallel plates welded to perpendicularspaced-apart plates 72 to provide rectangular open sockets 74 and 76 insocket members D and E respectively. Plates 58 may be welded to outerplates 70 as at 80. Carrier means C includes rectangular plates 82 and84 welded to perpendicular spaced-apart plates 60. Plates 82 and 84 arewelded to inner plates 70 of socket members D and E as at 88.

In one arrangement, each socket 74 and 76 slidably receives acylindrical post member F and G. It will be recognized that post membersF and G may also have other cross-sectional configurations if sodesired. The only requirement being that post members F and G beslidable relative to sockets 74 and 76. In the arrangement shown, postmembers F and G are slidably received through rectangular sockets 74 and76 in substantially the same manner as shown in FIG. 3.

Each post member F and G has a longitudinal axis and 92. Each postmember F and G further includes a plurality of spaced-apart holestherethrough as at 94 and 96.

Each post member F and G includes a bottom end having supporting surfaceengaging shoes H and I thereon for engaging a supporting surface Jbeneath hoist A. Supporting surface I will normally define a concretesupporting surface of a service area floor or pit. The bottom endportions of post members F and G having shoes H and l thereon dependdownwardly from tracks and 12.

Each post member F and G includes an upper end having vehicle engagingmeans K and L thereon. A connecting cross brace member M connects postmembers F and G above carrier means C. Connecting cross brace member Mincludes downwardly opening rectangular sockets N and O. Sockets N and Oare formed similarly to the showing in FIG. 3 for plate members 58 and60. Socket member N includes spaced-apart parallel rectangular plates102 and 104 welded to perpendicular spaced-apart plates 106. Socketmember 0 includes spaced-apart parallel rectangular plates 108 welded toperpendicularly positioned parallel spacedapart plates 110. The upperends of post members F and G are received in sockets 112 and 114 definedby socket members N and 0.

Connecting cross brace means M includes spacedapart parallel rectangularmetal plates 118 welded to parallel spaced-apart plates 120 and 122. Atleast plates 122 are welded to plates 104 and 108 of socket members Nand O as at 126. Plate members 118 may also be suitably welded to platemembers 106 and 120 of sockets N and O.

In one arrangement, connecting cross brace means M includessubstantially parallel spaced-apart rhomboidshaped metal plate members130 and 134. suitably welded to plates 118, and to sockets N and 0 if sodesired. Each plate member 130 and 134 is welded or otherwise suitablysecured at its upper edge to a substantially U-shaped channel member Pand Q. Each channel member P and Q is somewhat elongated and provides anoutwardly opening slide socket for slidably receiving substantiallyU-shaped slide bars R and S.

Each channel member P and Q has an upper plate member 140 and 142secured thereto as by welding adjacent the inner upper opposed portionsof socket members P and Q. Each plate member 140 and 142 is suitablybored and threaded for threadably receiving a bolt member 144 and 146which define stop means for limiting sliding movement of slide bars Rand S.

Each elongated slide bar R and S has a substantially U-shapedcross-sectional configuration, and has outer dimensions to be slidablyreceived in channel members P and Q for reciprocating movementtransversely of tracks 10 and 12. Each slide bar R and S has asubstantially rectangular plate 150 and 152 welded or otherwise suitablysecured to the inner end portion thereof to define stop plates. Eachslide bar R and S has a rectangular member 156 and 158 welded thereinadjacent the outer end portions thereof. Each member 156 and 158 has avertical hole 160 and 162 therethrough for slidably receivingcylindrical projections 166 and 168 on vehicle undercarriage engagingpads 170 and 172. Vehicle undercarriage engaging pads 170 and 172 may belifted from sockets 160 and 162 for replacement or for other reasons ifso desired. Slide bars R and S are reciprocable relative to slidesockets P and Q substantially perpendicularly to tracks 10 and 12 forproperly positioning pads 170 and 172 to engage a desired part on theundercarriage of a vehicle. Stop plates 150 and 152 on slide bars R andS engage the inner ends of stop bolts 144 and 146 to preventdisplacement of slide bars R and S from slide sockets P and Q. Stopplates 150 and 152 also insure that an adequate length of slide bars Rand S remain in slide sockets P and Q for supporting purposes. Stopbolts 144 and 146 may be threaded out of plates and 142 for removal ofslide bars R and S if so desired.

The uppermost edges of post members F and G preferably bear against thebottom surfaces of slide socket channels P and Q. Each plate member 130and 134 has a hole therethrough aligned with holes in plates 106 and 108of socket members N and O, and with suitable holes in the upper endportions of posts F and G, for receiving bolts and 182 to secure postmembers F and G to plate members 130 and 134, and to socket members Nand O. This also connects posts F and G by cross brace means M abovecarrier means C.

Mounting means T and U are provided for mounting auxiliary supportdevice B to tracks 10 and 12. Each mounting means T and U includes asubstantially cylindrical tube member 202 and 204 slidably received withsockets 54 and 56 on carrier means C for reciprocating movement relativethereto. Each tubular member 202 and 204 is welded as at 210 to amounting plate 212 and 216. Each mounting plate 212 and 216 has suitableholes therethrough receiving stub shafts 218 which are welded as at 220to mounting plates 212 and 216.

Stub shafts 218 have rollers 224 rotatably mounted thereon and receivedwithin openings 44 and 46 of channel members 34 and 36. Rollers 224 rideupon lower supporting surfaces 48 and 50 of channel members 34 and 36.With the arrangement described, auxiliary supporting device B may rollhorizontally relative to tracks 10 and 12 toward and away fromtransverse frame member 14 of hoist A. Each mounting means T and Uincludes substantially horizontally extending lower plate members 230and 234 welded to mounting plates 212 and 216 as at 236. EAch member 230and 234 has another retaining member 238 and 240 secured theretooutwardly of channel members 34 and 36 for preventing inwarddisplacement of mounting means T and U relative to channel members 34and 36. Channel members 34 and 36 may have open end portions adjacenthinged ramps 18 and 20 for permitting insertion and removal of auxiliarysupporting device B. The open end portions of the channels may be closedif so desired by bolts or welded plates once auxiliary supporting deviceB is positioned on tracks 10 and 12.

The opposite end portions of carrier means C include laterally elongatedholes 244 and 246 in plates 60 adjacent sockets 54 and 56. Projections202 and 204 have opposed holes 250 displaced 90 from opposed holes 252.Pins 260 are receivable within aligned openings 244, 246 and 252; or244, 246 and 250. With pins 260 received through openings 244, 246 and252, carrier means C is positioned so that post members F and G extendsubstantially vertically with surface engaging pads H and l dependingfrom tracks 10 and 12. Pins 260 may be removed for swinging movement ofauxiliary support means B relative to projections 202 and 204 onmounting means T and U for positioning carrier means C so that postmembers F and G extend substantially horizontally and parallel to trackmembers 10 and 12. Pins 260 may then be positioned through holes 244,246 and 250 for locking auxiliary support means B in a storage positionrelative to track members 10 and 12.

The aligned holes in sockets 54 and 56, and projections 202 and 204 onmounting means T and U, define latching means for selectively latchingcarrier means C with post members F and G either in a substantiallyvertical position or in a substantially horizontal position.

Pins 264 are receivable through holes 96 in post members F and G forpreventing downward movement of post members F and G relative to carriermeans C with vehicle engaging means K and L positioned selectivelyvariable distances above carrier means C.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, retaining means is providedfor retaining auxiliary support means B against rolling movementrelative to tracks 10 and 12 of hoist A. Lever member 270 is fixed to apin 272 extending through a suitable hole in mounting plate member 216Pin 272 is rotatable relative to the hole through plate member 216 andhas a link 274 secured thereto on the inner surface of mounting platemember 216. Link 274 is pivotally attached as by pin 276 to another link278. Link 278 is also pivotally connected as by pin 280 to wedge member282. The inner surface of mounting plate member 216 has a cam member 286secured thereto as by welding or the like. Cam member 286 has adownwardly inclined cam surface 288 for cooperation with an upperinclined surface 290 of wedge member 282. Wedge member 282 has a lowersurface 294 engageable with surface 50 of channel member 36. As shown inFIG. 4, counterclockwise movement of lever 270 will pull wedge member282 from between cam surface 290 and surface 50 for allowing freemovement of auxiliary support device B. Supporting device B can thenfreely roll along channel members 34 and 36 relative to tracks 10 and 12on rollers 224. Clockwise pivotal movement oflever 270 provides a forcethrough link 274 to link 278 for moving wedge member 282 to the left inFIG. 4. The upper surface of wedge member 282 acts against cam surface290 to force bottom edge 294 of wedge member 282 against surface 50 ofchannel member 36 for retaining auxiliary support device B in a fixedposition against rolling movement relative to track members 10 and 12.

In operation of the device, auxiliary supporting device B is normallypositioned in the storage position shown in FIG. 1 with post members Fand G extending substantially horizontally and parallel to track membersl and 12. A vehicle may be driven onto track members and 12. Hoist A isthen raised through a power means connected with transverse frame member14. If it is known that the auxiliary supporting device will be used,pins 260 could have been removed before the vehicle was driven ontotracks 10 and 12. Once hoist A is raised, carrier means C will thenrotate for allowing post members F and G to assume a substantiallyvertical position. Pins 260 are then positioned through holes 244, 246and 252 in sockets 54 and 56, and projections 202 and 204. A hoist maythen be lowered to a position such as shown in FIG. 2 with vehicleengaging means K and L adjusted to engage suitable parts on theundercarriage of vehicle W. Continued downward movement of hoist A,along with tracks 10 and 12, will cause vehicle W to be supported onsupport pads 170 and 172 with tires 302 and 304 of vehicle W out ofcontact and above tracks 10 and 12. Continued downward movement oftracks 10 and 12 will move carrier means C downwardly relative to postsF and G to position sockets D and E with the upper edges thereof belowselective ones of holes 94 and 96 in post members F and G. Pins 264 maythen be inserted through holes 94 and 96 above the upper edges ofsockets D and E on carrier means C. This will lock vehicle undercarriageengaging means K and L in a selectively variable position above carriermeans C with vehicle tires 302 and 304 raised above tracks 10 and 12.Hoist A may be selectively raised and lowered with vehicle W 7 sosuspended with its tires 302 and 304 out of engagement with tracks 10and 12. Any type of work may then be performed on the vehicle wheelswhich are freely suspended. Once work is done, hoist A is lowered todisengage the upper edges of sockets D and E from pins 264. Pins 264 arethen removed. Hoist A is then moved upwardly until tracks 10 and 12again engage wheels 302 and 304. Pins 260 are then removed to allowswinging movement of carrier means C to position post members F and G ina substantially horizontal position. Pins 260 may then be reinsertedthrough holes 244, 246 and 250 for latching carrier means C relative tomounting means T and U, and to tracks 10 and 12, with post members F andG in a substantially horizontal storage position. Hoist A may then belowered into contact with surface J so that vehicle W can be driven fromhoist A.

Although only one auxiliary supporting device B has been shown anddescribed, it will be recognized that two of such auxiliary supportingdevices would ordinarily be used on hoist A. One auxiliary supportingdevice B would be positioned on each side of transverse frame member 14.One auxiliary supporting device B would be positionable adjacent therear axle of a vehicle, while the other auxiliary supporting device Bwould be positionable adjacent the front wheels of the vehicle.

It will also be recognized that hoist A has been shown only for ageneral disclosure of the environment with which auxiliary supportingdevice B is used. Hoist A may take many different forms, including thetype wherein tracks 10 and 12 are individually mounted on the rods ofhydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. Transverse frame member 14 would thenbe omitted, and tracks 10 and 12 could be connected adjacent only one oftheir ends by a transverse frame member for maintaining parallelalignment between the tracks.

The retaining means shown for retaining auxiliary supporting device Bagainst horizontal movement along the hoist may be provided .on eachmounting means T and U at the opposite end portions of auxiliarysupporting device B. In the storage position, slide bars R and S can bemoved inwardly so that vehicle engaging pads and 172 will fit betweenthe inner surfaces of tracks 10 and 12. That is, aside from mountingmeans T and U, entire auxiliary supporting device B has a storage widthless than the distance between the inner surfaces of tracks 10 and 12. Apair of auxiliary supporting devices B on a hoist A may be horizontallyrolled relative to the hoist to any desired position when they are notbeing used. This substantially eliminates any interference with normaloperation of hoist A by auxiliary supporting devices B.

Although the invention has been described with respect to certainpreferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent operations andmodifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the readingand understanding of this specification The present invention includesall such equivalent alterations. and modifications and is limited onlyby the scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a vehicle hoist of the type including spacedapart substantiallyparallel vehicle wheel supporting tracks and power means for raising andlowering said tracks relative to a supporting surface between alowermost position and selective raised positions, selectively usablevehicle support means for supporting a vehicle on said tracks with thevehicle wheels raised above said tracks, said support means includingcarrier means spanning said tracks for carrying said support means onsaid tracks, a pair of substantially parallel elongated post membersspaced-apart in the same direction as said tracks, each of said postmembers having a longitudinal axis and being slidably carried by saidcarrier means for sliding movement longitudinally of its axis relativeto said carrier means, said post members being positionable in asubstantially vertical position substantially perpendicular to saidtracks and supporting surface to define bottom post members endsdepending from said tracks and engageable with said supporting surfaceand upper post member ends having vehicle engaging means thereon forengaging selective portions of a vehicle undercarriage, selectivelocking means for selectively locking said post members against downwardsliding movement relative to said carrier means with said vehicleengaging means positioned selectively variable distances above saidtracks, and mounting means for mounting said carrier means on saidtracks, the improvement comprising; said mounting means swingablymounting said carrier means on a swinging axis extending transversely ofsaid tracks for swinging movement relative to said tracks between afirst position wherein said post members are in said substantiallyvertical position and a second position defining a storage positionwherein said post members extend substantially parallel to said tracks,and cooperative latching means on said carrier means and mounting meansfor selectively latching said carrier means in either of said first andsecond positions.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting means is movable relativeto said tracks for selective movement of said carrier means parallel tosaid tracks, and selective retaining means for releasably retaining saidmounting means against movement relative to said tracks.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said carrier means includes oppositesockets facing said tracks and said mounting means includes projectionsreceived in said sockets.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said latching means for selectivelylatching said carrier means in said first or second positions comprisesaligned pin receiving holes in said sockets and projections.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said holes in said sockets areelongated transversely of said tracks for obtaining limited reciprocalmovement of said projections relative to said sockets with a pinreceived in said aligned pin receiving holes.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said tracks have opposite innersurfaces facing one another, an elongated channel member secured to eachof said inner surfaces, said channel members opening outwardly towardone another transversely of said tracks, said mounting means havingrollers thereon received in said channels for rolling movement of saidmounting means and carrier means along said channel members parallel tosaid tracks.

7. The device of claim 6 and further including selective retaining meansfor releasably retaining said mounting means against movement along saidchannel members on said rollers.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said retaining means comprises a wedgemember reciprocatingly mounted on said mounting means, handle means forselectively reciprocating said wedge member, cam means mounted on saidmounting means for cooperation with said wedge member to wedge saidwedge member between said cam means and a surface of at least one ofsaid channel members.

9. The device of claim 1 and further including connecting brace meansconnecting said upper ends of said post members above said carriermeans, said vehicle engaging means being secured to said connectingbrace means, said vehicle engaging means being reciprocatable relativeto said connecting brace means transversely of said tracks.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said connecting brace means has slidesockets opening transversely of said tracks, said vehicle engaging meansincluding elongated slide bars slidably received in said slide sockets.

11. A vehicle support device for use with a drive-on type of vehiclehoist having spaced-apart tracks to support a vehicle with its wheelsraised above the tracks, said support device including vehiclesupporting post means for supporting a vehicle, said post meansincluding a bottom end engageable with a supporting surface and an upperend having vehicle engaging means thereon for engaging selectiveportions of a vehicle undercarriage, carrier means slidably carryingsaid post means for longitudinal sliding movement of said post meansrelative to said carrier means, locking means for selectively lockingsaid post means against downward sliding movement relative to saidcarrier means with said vehicle engaging means located selectivelyvariable distances above said carrier means, said carrier means havingopposite end portions, and mounting means on said opposite end portionsfor mounting said carrier means on the tracks of a drive-on type ofvehicle hoist, the improvement comprising; said carrier means beingswingable relative to said mounting means for selectively positioningsaid post means in a first substantially vertical vehicle supportingposition with said bottom end of said post means depending from saidcarrier means and a second substantially horizontal storage position,and selective latching means for selectively latching said carrier meansagainst swinging movement relative to said mounting means with said postmeans in either of said first or second positions.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said mounting means is for movablymounting said support device on the tracks of a drive-on type of vehiclehoist, and selectively operable retaining means on said mounting meansfor selectively retaining said mounting means against movement relativeto the tracks of a drive-on type of vehicle hoist.

13. The device of claim 11 and further including rol ler means on saidmounting means for rollably mounting said support device on the tracksof a drive-on type of vehicle hoist.

14. The device of claim 13 and further including selectively operableretaining means on said mounting means for selectively retaining saidsupport device against rolling movement relative to the tracks of adrive-on type of vehicle hoist.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein said opposite end portions of saidcarrier means include outwardly open- 18. The device of claim 11 whereinsaid vehicle engaging means on said upper end of said post meansincludes a pair of spaced-apart support members, said support membersbeing substantially horizontally reciprocable relative to said postmeans.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said post means includes brace meansabove said carrier means, said brace means including outwardly openingopposite slide sockets, and said support members including elongatedslide bars slidably received in said slide sockets.

1. In a vehicle hoist of the type including spaced-apart substantiallyparallel vehicle wheel supporting tracks and power means for raising andlowering said tracks relative to a supporting surface between alowermost position and selective raised positions, selectively usablevehicle support means for supporting a vehicle on said tracks with thevehicle wheels raised above said tracks, said support means includingcarrier means spanning said tracks for carrying said support means onsaid tracks, a pair of substantially parallel elongated post membersspaced-apart in the same direction as said tracks, each of said postmembers having a longitudinal axis and being slidably carried by saidcarrier means for sliding movement longitudinally of its axis relativeto said carrier means, said post members being positionable in asubstantially vertical position substantially perpendicular to saidtracks and supporting surface to define bottom post members endsdepending from said tracks and engageable with said supporting surfaceand upper post member ends having vehicle engaging means thereon forengaging selective portions of a vehicle undercarriage, selectivelocking means for selectively locking said post members against downwardsliding movement relative to said carrier means with said vehicleengaging means positioned selectively variable distances above saidtracks, and mounting means for mounting said carrier means on saidtracks, the improvement comprising; said mounting means swingablymounting said carrier means on a swinging axis extending transversely ofsaid tracks for swinging movement relative to said tracks between afirst position wherein said post members are in said substantiallyvertical position and a second position defining a storage positionwherein said post members extend substantially parallel to said tracks,and cooperative latching means on said carrier means and mounting meansfor selectively latching said carrier means in either of said first andsecond positions.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting meansis movable relative to said tracks for selective movement of saidcarrier means parallel to said tracks, and selective retaining means forreleasably retaining said mounting means against movement relative tosaid tracks.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said carrier meansincludes opposite sockets facing said tracks and said mounting meansincludes projections received in said sockets.
 4. The device of claim 3wherein said latching means for selectively latching said carrier meansin said first or second positions comprises aligned pin receiving holesin said sockets and projections.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein saidholes in said sockets are elongated transversely of said tracks forobtaining limited reciprocal movement of said projections relative tosaid sockets with a pin received in said aligned pin receiving holes. 6.The device of claim 1 wherein said tracks have opposite inner surfacesfacing one another, an elongated channel member secured to each of saidinner surfaces, said channel members opening outwardly toward oneanother transversely of said tracks, said mounting means having rollersthereon received in said channels for rolling movement of said mountingmeans and carrier means along said channel members parallel to saidtracks.
 7. The device of claim 6 and further including selectiveretaining means for releasably retaining said mounting means againstmovement along said channel members on said rollers.
 8. The device ofclaim 7 wherein said retaining means comprises a wedge memberreciprocatingly mounted on said mounting means, handle means forselectively reciprocating said wedge member, cam means mounted on saidmounting means for cooperation with said wedge member to wedge saidwedge member between said cam means and a surface of at least one ofsaid channel members.
 9. The device of claim 1 and further includingconnecting brace means connecting said upper ends of said post membersabove said carrier means, said vehicle engaging means being secured tosaid connecting brace means, said vehicle engaging means beingreciprocatable relative to said connecting brace means transversely ofsaid tracks.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said connecting bracemeans has slide sockets opening transversely of said tracks, saidvehicle engaging means including elongated slide bars slidably receivedin said slide sockets.
 11. A vehicle support device for use with adrive-on type of vehicle hoist having spaced-apart tracks to support avehicle with its wheels raised above the tracks, said support deviceincluding vehicle supporting post means for supporting a vehicle, saidpost means including a bottom end engageable with a supporting surfaceand an upper end having vehicle engaging means thereon for engagingselective portions of a vehicle undercarriage, carrier means slidablycarrying said post means for longitudinal sliding movement of said postmeans relative to said carrier means, locking means for selectivelylocking said post means against downward sliding movement relative tosaid carrier means with said vehicle engaging means located selectivelyvariable distances above said carrier means, said carrier means havingopposite end portions, and mounting means on said opposite end portionsfor mounting said carrier means on the tracks of a drive-on type ofvehicle hoist, the improvement comprising; said carrier means beingswingable relative to said mounting means for selectively positioningsaid post means in a first substantially vertical vehicle supportingposition with said bottom end of said post means depending from saidcarrier means and a second substantially horizontal storage position,and selective latching means for selectively latching said carrier meansagainst swinging movement relative to said mounting means with said postmeans in either of said first or second positions.
 12. The device ofclaim 11 wherein said mounting means is for movably mounting saidsupport device on the tracks of a drive-on type of vehicle hoist, andselectively operable retaining means on said mounting means forselectively retaining said mounting means against movement relative tothe tracks of a drive-on type of vehicle hoist.
 13. The device of claim11 and further including roller means on said mounting means forrollably mounting said support device on the tracks of a drive-on typeof vehicle hoist.
 14. The device of claim 13 and further includingselectively operable retaining means on said mounting means forselectively retaining said support device against rolling movementrelative to the tracks of a drive-on type of vehicle hoist.
 15. Thedevice of claim 11 wherein said opposite end portions of said carriermeans include outwardly opening sockets and said mounting means includeprojections received in said sockets.
 16. The device of claim 15 whereinsaid latching means for latching said carrier means to said mountingmeans with said post means in either of said first or second positionscomprises aligned pin receiving holes in said sockets and projections.17. The device of claim 16 wherein at least certain of said holes arelaterally elongated for obtaining limited reciprocal movement of saidprojections relative to said sockets with a pin received in said alignedpin receiving holes.
 18. The device of claim 11 wherein said vehicleengaging means on said upper end of said post means includes a pair ofspaced-apart support members, said support members being substantiallyhorizontally reciprocable relative to said post means.
 19. The device ofclaim 18 wherein said post means includes brace means above said carriermeans, said brace means including outwardly opening opposite slidesockets, and said support members including elongated slide barsslidably received in said slide sockets.